Greater Bay Shore coverage is funded in part by Shoregate, now leasing brand-new premium apartment homes in the heart of Bay Shore.
For Amanda and James Reilly, breadmaking started as a hobby — and a hit with friends and family.
Whenever the couple shared their sourdough baked goods, they heard the same advice: You should be selling this stuff.
About a year later, the newlyweds are giving it a shot.
After getting married in October, the West Islip natives launched Reilly Flour Co., a small-batch baking business that takes orders directly through Instagram.
“We’re trying to buy a house, so a little extra money is great,” Amanda told Greater Long Island.
The menu goes beyond a traditional sourdough loaf. There’s a sourdough pretzel loaf with cheddar cheese and a cinnamon sugar sourdough loaf, available with or without white chocolate chips. Customers can also request custom fillings.
“James is the baker, and I’d like to say I’m the creative genius,” said Amanda with a laugh.
Reilly Flour Co. also makes sourdough English muffins, scones and chocolate chip cookies, with occasional specials such as sourdough hamburger rolls and banana bread.
Baking without seeds
Reilly Flour Co. courtesy photos
Amanda’s severe sesame allergy helped shape the menu. The couple leaves all types of seeds out of their baking.
“It was very difficult to eat bread at a restaurant, or even buy something at a store, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, so this solves that problem,” she said. “I can finally eat bread again.”
For now, the Reillys bake around their full-time jobs. Amanda works as a project coordinator for a fragrance company, while James is a paralegal.
They’re looking to move out of their Massapequa apartment and buy a house, which would give them more room to bake and expand production.
But a traditional bakery isn’t part of the plan. Amanda envisions something closer to home.
“I definitely want to open up a stand in front of our house on the porch, maybe even sell at farmers markets,” she said. “It will be a nice side hustle when we have kids one day.”
Follow their journey
Top: James and Amanda Reilly, the West Islip natives behind Reilly Flour Co., turned their sourdough hobby into a small-batch baking business. (Courtesy photo)
Your Long Island news, delivered.
Subscribe to the GLI Newsletter — its free
